1609) as it affords the reader a more complete idea of the cuſtoms peculiar to our ancient theatres, than any other publication which has hitherto fallen in my way. See this performance, page 27.
“CHAP. VI.
How a Gallant ſhould behave himſelf in a Play-houſe.
The theater is your poet’s Royal Exchange, upon which, their muſes (that are now turn’d to merchants) meeting, barter away that light commodity of words for a lighter ware than words, plaudities and the breath of the great beaſt, which (like the threatnings of two cowards) vaniſh all into aire. Plaiers and their factors, who put away the ſtuffe and make the beſt of it they poſſibly can (as indeed ’tis their parts ſo to doe) your gallant, your courtier, and your capten, had wont to be the foundeſt paymaſters, and I thinke are ſtill the ſureſt chapmen: and theſe by meanes that their heades arc well ſtockt, deale upon this comical freight by the groſſe; when your groundling, and gallery commoner buyes his sport by the penny, and, like a hagler is glad to utter it againe by retailing.
Sithence then the place is ſo free in entertainment, allowing a ſtoole as well to the farmer’s ſonne as to your Templer: that your ſtinkard has the ſelfe ſame libertie to be there in his tobacco-fumes, which your ſweet courtier hath: and that your carman and tinker claime as ſtrong a voice in their ſuſſrage, and fit to give judgment on the plaies’ life and death, as well as the proudeſt Momus among the tribe of critick; it is fit that hee, whom the moſt tailors bils do make room for, when he comes, ſhould not be baſely (like a vyoll) cas’d up in a corner.
Whether therefore the gatherers of the publique or private play-houſe ſtand to receive the aftemoone’s rent, let our gallant (having paid it) preſently advance himſelfe up to the throne of the ſtage. I meane not into the lords’ roome (which is now but the ſtage’s ſuburbs). No, thoſe boxes by the iniquity of cuſtome, conſpiracy of waiting-women and gentlemen-uſhers, that there ſweat together, and the covetous ſharers, are contemptibly thruſt into the reare, and
much
